Taste of Edgewater crawl boosts business Sep 30

The sidewalks were alive with festivities Sept. 24 as the Edgewater Development Corporation celebrated its second annual Taste of Edgewater.

By Crystal Fencke

Featuring tasty bites from restaurants, musical and dance entertainment, as well as small business open houses, the event was a success, according to the shopkeepers. Even in a down economy, almost 50 storefronts up Broadway, Devon and Granville and beyond should now bring in more customers, the aim of the organizers and participating retailers.

Taste of Edgewater is the fourth such event in two years – two progressive dinners have taken place in the summer months. The goals are to show neighbors how walkable the community is, and to keep residents in the neighborhood to do their shopping. Studies have shown that people who live in Edgewater spend their money outside of the community too often, when they could use their buying power steps from where they live.

“How do you realize a more vital commercial district?”, asked Tina Travlos Nihlean, president of the EDC. Bringing people in to experience it, and luring them to come back is her answer.

Families with small children enjoyed a performance by young movers of the Joel Hall Dancers in front of the Clarovista condo and retail complex, 1134 W. Granville, which is looking to fill its eight floors and street level retail spaces.

Local pols, present and past, were on hand to check out the influx of new and local blood attracted to the district. At about 5 p.m., Rep. Harry Osterman (14th) strolled up Granville with his children. Alds. Patrick O’Connor (40th) and Joe Moore (49th) talked with folks, and former 48th Ward Alderman Marion Volini appeared in her current role as a real estate broker. Doug Fraser, Chief of Staff of Ald. Mary Ann Smith’s office (48th), represented the ward that covers the bulk of Edgewater.

The “crawl,” as it is called, started at 5 p.m. and continued until 9 p.m. Trolleys and bicycle rickshaws transported people to the various restaurants. By about the midpoint, True Nature Foods, 6034 N. Broadway, had served 200 customers its own recipe of apple, lemon and beet juice. And at 7:30, the health food store also enjoyed a rush of about 13 people.

Of the 21 participating eateries, each seemed to have different reasons for taking part. Some were old favorites, such as The Thai Grill, 1040 W. Granville, on the block for nine years, offered tastes of pad thai and dumplings.

But Julius J. Lamar, owner and manager of Old St. Andrew’s Inn, 5938 N. Broadway, was eager for the public to see his place in a new light. Once a simple and dingy pub, the now warm and inviting restaurant has become a gathering place for locals. “I have a full service menu people don’t know about,” said Lamar. A claim to fame of this restaurant is that it’s said to be haunted. From his offerings of comfort food and pub fare, Lamar chose hearty rib tips and fries for people to try.

An out of the way spot is Waterfront Café, 6219 N. Sheridan Road, in Berger Park. The quaint beachside place with outdoor seating and tiki lights offers a diverse light menu. Diners can choose from hot dogs, soups and salads, including the “Aloha Chicken Salad,” served in a pineapple shell.

The nighttime event brought a host of potential customers to the Waterfront. “90% of the people on the “crawl” didn’t know we were here,” said Jeffrey Lee.

Hilal Tamrat, 29, has been an Edgewater resident for 10 years. She and her two pre-teen boys enjoyed the entrée-sized portions some of the restaurateurs gave. Tamrat, who is “not eating meat right now,” was glad for the vegetarian fare from Ethiopian spots, such as Ras Dashen, 5846 N. Broadway.

Local resident Tammy Konieczko, near 30, rode a trolley to Indie Café, 5951 N. Broadway, with two girlfriends. She learned about the event from an email newsletter of the Rogers Park Garden Club.

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Photographer: Karen Hoyt
Courtesy: Edgewater Development Corporation